Eric Weddle: An unofficial ambassador for the Utah Utes football team

NFL football player, former Ute and honorary coach Eric Weddle, left, shares a laugh with then quarterback Brian Johnson during the University of Utah Red and White football game in April 2008. Weddle has become an unofficial ambassador for the Ute program.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Summary

Since leaving for the NFL in 2007, Eric Weddle has become an unofficial ambassador for the University of Utah football program.

After guiding the University of Utah to a thrilling, come-from-behind, 31-28 victory over Oregon State in 2008, Brian Johnson found about 80 text messages on his phone.

The quarterback wasn’t surprised to see they were all from the same person — his buddy Eric Weddle.

As the former Ute watched the game, he reacted to almost every play with a text to Johnson.

“What play call was that?”

“What happened on that throw? Got to make the throw on third down.”

“Why are so many receivers dropping the ball?”

Johnson, now Utah’s co-offensive coordinator, said it was fun to see Weddle’s analysis.

“During my senior year, Eric Weddle would text me his play-by-play analysis of each game. I would come back to the locker room and find my phone had blown up with text messages, series by series, quarter by quarter,” Johnson said. “It meant a lot to me for him to get into what we were doing. He is truly a great friend who has always been there, and it’s nice to have that. We are fortunate (at Utah) to have a group of guys that love coming back and still want to be part of the program.”

Maintaining close ties with the Utah football program and sharing his knowledge with younger players has been an important part of Eric’s life even as he has moved on. His experiences with the Utes greatly impacted his life, and he maintains a genuine love for people in the program, the university and its proud athletic tradition.

“It’s been great to have him around our guys,” head coach Kyle Whittingham said. “He’s such a great ambassador for our program. We’re very proud that he’s an alum.”

Eric’s ambassadorship for the University of Utah officially began in 2007 during his rookie season. As soon as he learned the Utes were coming to San Diego to play Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, he checked his schedule. He was delighted to see the Chargers would host the Detroit Lions during bowl week. Eric attended Ute practices at the University of San Diego, and he and his wife Chanel spent three nights in the San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina with the team. The Sunday before the bowl game, several Utes came to Qualcomm and watched the Chargers throttle the Lions, 51–14.

Eric said the week with his old teammates was a special reunion.

“It was amazing to see all the players and coaches again,” Eric said. “They are like my family, my brothers. I value any opportunity to show my support.”

Kyle Gunther, a former Utah lineman turned sports talk radio personality, recalled when Eric pulled up to the team hotel in his Honda Accord.

“He was still the same guy we all remembered,” Gunther said. “I was expecting him to pull up in a brand-new Cadillac Escalade. He had played a full year in the NFL and was still rocking the same Honda Accord, the same car he had in college. No gold teeth, no diamond earrings, and he was still wearing the same stuff he wore at Utah. He sat around and talked to 15 or 20 guys for 20 minutes, then went to dinner with some of them. You won’t find anyone saying they weren’t friends with Eric Weddle. I don’t think he has ever had an enemy. He hasn’t changed from the day I met him. He continues to be very personable. He is just one of the guys.”

Popular Comments

Chris, these articles aren't being posted here to prop up Eric
Weddle...they're being posted to help a Deseret News writer sell his book.
And honestly, which would you rather have: More articles about former Utes who
have gone on to great
More..

4:35 p.m. May 16, 2013

Top comment

VegasUte

Las Vegas, NV

Brave Sir Robin - you are correct, Sir, on every point!

Go Utes!!

4:55 p.m. May 16, 2013

Top comment

Area 52

Tooele, UT

I'm no Utah fan but when was the last time the Deseret News wrote an
informative column about a former Ute star? How can you even compare Weddle to
Ziggy? Weddle is a NFL star and Ziggy is not. Is it because Weddle is Mormon?
Seems to me you
More..